Hollywood Park: Evening Jewel to pass Wilshire Handicap

Z/Keeneland

Evening Jewel, with Kent Desormeaux, wins the 2010 Ashland.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Evening Jewel, the winner of two Grade 1 stakes for 3-year-old fillies last year, will not start in Saturday’s $100,000 Wilshire Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Trainer Jim Cassidy said on Wednesday that he would prefer to give Evening Jewel more time between starts, following a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland on April 14.

Cassidy said two Hollywood Park races – the $150,000 Milady Handicap over 1 1/16 miles on the main track on May 21 or the $250000 Gamely Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on turf on May 30 – are new targets for Evening Jewel, who has won 7 of 18 starts and $1,217,943 for the Braly family.

“I changed my mind and won’t go,” he said. “I wanted to give her a little more time.

“I beat myself up with it and I thought, What if the traveling took a little out of her? She’s not really showing it but maybe I shouldn’t be too greedy. I’ll wait. Leg-wise, she’s fine.”

The absence of Evening Jewel makes the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes over a mile on turf a more open race. There is one other Group 1 winner in the projected field of 11 in Vamo a Galupiar, a Chilean import now trained by Neil Drysdale.

Last June, Vamo a Galupiar won the Group 1 Clasico Arturo Lyon Pena, over about a mile on turf in Chile, and was second in the Group 1 Chilean 1000 Guineas in September, her final start in that country.

A 4-year-old on the Northern Hemisphere calendar, Vamo a Galupiar was foaled in September 2007, which makes her about six months younger than her counterparts in the Wilshire.

“She’s a 3-year-old running against 4-year-olds,” Drysdale said.

By Proud Citizen, Vamo a Galupiar has worked steadily for Drysdale since mid-February, on the synthetic main track at Hollywood Park and turf courses at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita.

“She’s very straightforward to train,” he said.

Drysdale had an excellent April with Liberian Freighter, who won the Grade 2 Arcadia Mile at Santa Anita on April 9 and the Grade 3 Inglewood Handicap at Hollywood Park last Sunday.

Liberian Freighter returned to racetrack training on Wednesday, exercising on the Hollywood Park backstretch training track. His next likely start is the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile on turf on July 2.

“I think we’ll give him a breather,” Drysdale said. “He ran hard in both races. He came out of it well.”

Earlier this year, the Drysdale-trained Bourbon Bay won the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes and was second in the San Luis Obispo Stakes, both at Santa Anita. He was a disappointing 11th in the $5 million Sheema Classic in Dubai on March 26, and could resume his American career in the $250,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap over 1 1/4 miles on turf on June 11.

Miss Match, who pulled a 45-1 upset in the Santa Margarita Invitational at Santa Anita on March 12, is a candidate for the $250,000 Vanity Handicap on June 18, though a start in the Milady Handicap is a possibility, Drysdale said.

Stakes winners staying home

The Santa Anita stakes winners Fluke and Mildly Offensive will miss starts in stakes at Churchill Downs next week, their trainers said on Wednesday.

Fluke, who won the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on March 5, did not work to the satisfaction of trainer Humberto Ascanio on April 16 and will miss the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on May 7.

Ascanio said a new goal for Fluke will be the Shoemaker Mile. “He runs well fresh,” Ascanio said.

Ascanio made the decision after Fluke worked six furlongs in 1:14.60. “In the last work, he wasn’t himself,” Ascanio said. “I think the last race was hard on him.”

Owned by Patricia Bozano, Fluke, 6, has won 7 of 16 starts and $637,948.

Mildly Offensive, who won the Santa Paula Stakes at Santa Anita on March 20, will miss the $100,000 Eight Belles Stakes on May 6 because of a recent illness, trainer Carla Gaines said. Mildly Offensive has since recovered and was expected to resume racetrack training on Thursday.

“She got a high temperature,” Gaines said. “We’re off the Churchill Downs trail. She missed about a week of training.”

Owned by Warren Williamson, Mildly Offensive is unbeaten in two starts and has earned $92,400.

Baze books Turf Paradise mounts

Jockey Tyler Baze, who resumed a comeback after a nine-month absence earlier this week, will ride at Turf Paradise on Saturday, according to his new agent, Craig O’Bryan.

Baze suffered facial injuries in a pre-race accident at Del Mar last summer when his mount reared back and struck him in the face. Baze rode at Turf Paradise on Monday and was booked to resume riding at Hollywood Park on Thursday.

In the last month, Baze has worked horses for trainer friends at Turf Paradise, and will have two mounts there on Saturday.

Charges filed in robbery of Marcus Hollywood Cinema near Appleton

APPLETON — Police say a Grand Chute man charged with the Sunday morning armed robbery of a cinema fled with more than $20,000 in cash.

Officers recovered more than $18,000 of that along the ground after bills fell from Cornelius D. Carolina's shirt as he ran from their pursuit, a criminal complaint says.

Carolina, 29, was charged Tuesday in Outagamie County Court with armed robbery, first-degree reckless endangerment, theft, false imprisonment and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Court Commissioner Brian Figy ordered Carolina held on a $100,000 cash bond.

The second man remains at large. Carolina refused to identify an accomplice after his arrest.

"I did it alone," he told police, even though surveillance video from the cinema confirmed that two people entered the building and committed the robbery.

Assistant Dist. Atty. Mark Schroeder asked for a significant cash bond based on the severity of the allegations and a previous robbery conviction. Court records show Carolina served nearly five years in prison after a 2000 robbery in Milwaukee County.

"I do think he's a danger to the public and a flight risk," he said.

Police say Carolina and another man robbed Marcus Hollywood Cinema, 513 N. Westhill Blvd., Grand Chute, shortly before 6:30 a.m. Sunday. The men forced an employee into the office at gunpoint, disconnected a computer in an attempt to disable cameras, then bound the man at the wrists and ankles with zip-ties. One of the men tied him while the other filled bags with money.

After they left, the employee hopped to the phone, put it on speaker and dialed 911.

Police arrested Carolina after Town of Menasha police spotted a person matching his description about 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Officers found Carolina along W. Prospect Avenue and took him into custody after a foot chase. In addition to cash, police found a black semi-automatic handgun along the pursuit path.

Carolina's pockets contained gloves, a knit ski mask and more than $2,500 in cash, the complaint says.

He faces more than 78 years in prison if convicted.

His preliminary hearing was set for May 4.

Alex Pettyfer's thankful crotch and Hollywood bashing: Just pulling our chain?

On having "Thank You" tattooed above his crotch: "In case I forget to say it," he apparently says with a wink. Ah, that wink says it all. After further digging, we found that the tattoo is most likely just his first name in Japanese characters. Compare and contrast above.

Silly media.

On Los Angeles: "It's still a s--t hole," Pettyfer says. "I think it's this insidious pool where nearly everyone lives in fear. Geographically it's fantastic, but socially it's disgusting. I wish they'd run all the c--ts out."

We hate to defend the use of the C-word, but in this context we don't believe he's referring to women as the media has deduced. One of our staff anglophiles tells us that the Brits use the word to refer to d-bags in general. Notice, we're not defending Los Angeles.

On his chosen profession: "Being an actor is like being in prison," he says. "You go, you serve your time, you try and replicate Johnny Depp's career and then you move to Paris."

We're sure Depp takes this as a compliment and Pettyfer means it as such. 

Though, if he ever does find himself in a real prison, we'd suggest Pettyfer not tell the inmates his tattoo means "Thank You."

Turner Classic Movies Welcomes Fans To Hollywood For 2011 Edition Of The TCM Classic Film Festival

The TCM Classic Film Festival is back for its second year, with more than 70 screenings, as well as special introductions, guest appearances, panel discussions and more. The four-day festival kicks off Thursday April 28th and runs through May 1, 2011, in Hollywood. Peter O’Toole, Kirk Douglas, Warren Beatty, Leslie Caron, George Chakiris, Roger Corman, Mariel Hemingway, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Mathers, Hayley Mills, Jane Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney, Richard Roundtree, Barbara Rush, Alec Baldwin, Illeana Douglas, Chris Isaak, Rose McGowan, Mary Ann Mobley, Ron Perlman, Nancy & Tina Sinatra and Robert Townsend are just a few of the notables slated to appear. TCM host and film historian Robert Osborne serves as official host of the festival. The official Twitter of the 2011 TCM Classic Film Festival: @tcmfilmfest

A central theme in this year’s festival is Music and the Movies, with several screenings and events celebrating composers, great songwriters and the unique role music plays in the art of filmmaking. As part of the Music and the Movies programming, the festival will honor songwriters George and Ira Gershwin with several screenings, including the opening night gala presentation of the 60th anniversary world premiere restoration of An American in Paris (1951), with star Leslie Caron helping introduce the film.
Also under the Music and the Movies banner, TCM is collaborating with D23, The Official Disney Fan Club, to celebrate Walt Disney’s musical legacy. The programming will include screenings of Fantasia (1940), Disney’s Silly Symphonies and Laugh-O-Gram shorts and the live-action musical Summer Magic (1961). TCM will also pay tribute to two film music legends – composer Bernard Herrmann and “King of the Singing Cowboys” Roy Rogers – on the 100th anniversary of their births.

YouTube goes Hollywood with more feature films

YouTube is going far beyond sneezing bears (above) and epic meal times — the Google-owned video site is going Hollywood.

YouTube has signed deals with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros and Universal Pictures to offer rentals of those studios’ films. The rentals will be available the same day they’re available through services such as iTunes and Amazon, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Google TV, which sends online videos, including those from YouTube, to your TV screen, has been gasping for air and begging for viewers. YouTube’s acquisiton of these major Hollywood movies may help the online television service.

YouTube’s wider range of on-demand movies would allow customers to stream movies for a limited rental period. You won’t be able to buy them or download them permanently at this point, though.

Other big-name studios like Paramount Pictures, 20^th Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios said no to teaming up with YouTube; they say Google hasn’t done enough to deter online piracy and don’t want to be associated with the company.

Schwarzenegger eyes 'Terminator' return

LOS ANGELES, April 28 (UPI) -- Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is to appear in a new entry in the iconic "Terminator" film franchise, The Hollywood Reporter said.
Schwarzenegger starred in the 1984 movie "The Terminator" and its sequel, 1991's "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." He had a cameo in "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," but was focusing on his political career when 2009's "Terminator Salvation" went into production. A TV series called "Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles" aired for two seasons, but did not feature Schwarzenegger.
The Hollywood Reporter said the next installment in the film series will be directed by Justin Lin, who helmed "Fast Five." No screenplay has been written yet, however, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.

Jessica Simpson `won`t diet for wedding`

Jessica Simpson has revealed that she will not embark on a strict diet and fitness campaign in the run-up to her wedding.

The 30-year-old singer is engaged to former NFL player Eric Johnson and said that she plans to shape up in the comfort of her own home, rather than enlisting the services of a personal trainer.

She told Us Weekly, 'I just have to work out on my own. There is no regimen I need to follow. There's no diet I need to follow. I just need to do some things for myself and that's it.

'And that will make me feel the happiest. I am going to dance around my bedroom and hopefully lose some weight, and lift some weights, and do what I can.'

And she revealed that a date has been set for their big day.

'I'm still trying to figure out what to wear. I don't know if I want the big boom, or the curvy thing, but it will be something beautiful,' she said. 'I kind of have a couple ideas in my head, and I have a date. I'm really excited.'

Summer of superheroes ride to Hollywood's rescue

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - It's looking to be another summer of superheroes and sequels as Hollywood unleashes a barrage of pictures aimed at their core audience of young men.

Studios generate about 40 percent of their annual sales during the lucrative four-month summer season. But although ticket sales brought in a record $4.35 billion in 2010, that was due to higher prices.

The grim reality is that attendance has fallen for the past three summers, reaching its lowest level last summer since 1997.

So what gives? Paul Dergarabedian, box office analyst for Hollywood.com, said alternative ways of watching movies from the likes of Netflix, Hulu and video on demand are giving movie theaters a run for their money.

"The immediacy of online delivery has created a competitive landscape for theatrical movie going," Dergarabedian told Reuters.

Not that going to the multiplex is in danger of becoming extinct -- so long as the product is good.

A year after "Iron Man," "Twilight" and "Shrek" sequels pulled in summer crowds, the studios are front loading many of their potential blockbusters early.

Summer cannot come soon enough for Hollywood with 2011 sales to date of $2.7 billion, down nearly 18 percent from last year.

"The cavalry is on its way to get the momentum going, so it's all about big names and big franchises," Dergarabedian said.

Guns might not be blazing, but hammers will certainly be pounding when the Marvel comic adaptation "Thor" -- with a reported production budget of $150 million -- kicks things off on May 6. Australian newcomer Chris Hemsworth stars in the title role as the God of Thunder.

Following in quick succession will be a fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie (May 20), "Hangover" and "Kung Fu Panda" sequels (May 26) and "X-Men: First Class," (June 3) a prequel to the franchise.

Before the season ends in September, two more superhero comic books will come to life including "Green Lantern" (June 17) and "Captain America: The First Avenger" (July 22).

Summer inevitably pits earthlings against intergalactic aggressors. Aliens will have two shots: in "Star Trek" director J.J. Abrams' 1979-set "Super 8" (June 10); and in the sci-fi western "Cowboys & Aliens," starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford (July 29).

On July 1, those shape-shifting robots return for a third attempt at taking over civilization in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." Primates stake their claim on August 5 in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," a prequel starring James Franco.

But no doubt the biggest battle will occur on July 15 between wizards and witches, Muggles and Squibs, half-bloods and humans as "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2" closes the chapter on the biggest movie franchise of all time.

With kids out of school, plenty of family films are on offer. But familiarity abounds. Offerings include a wishfully titled book adaptation, "Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer" (May 20), "Cars 2" (June 24), "The Smurfs" (July 29), and "Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World 3D" (August 19).

Prefer some raunch with your popcorn? Edgy comedies are coming out full force this summer. A sequel to 2009's surprise hit "The Hangover," opens on May 26. Two weeks earlier, on May 13, the ladies get to live it up in "Bridesmaids."

Justin Timberlake stars in a pair of adult comedies, reuniting with real-life ex-girlfriend Cameron Diaz in "Bad Teacher" (June 24) and teaming with Mila Kunis for "Friends With Benefits" (July 22).

"It's at the point now where there are as many raunchy comedies as there are comic book movies," said Dave Karger of Entertainment Weekly. "Every studio is chasing 'The Hangover.'"

Some big stars are involved in more down to earth, serious fare to counter program all the special effects and animation.

On July 1st, Tom Hanks directs and stars as a recently axed worker in "Larry Crowne" opposite Julia Roberts; Brad Pitt and Sean Penn delve into family relationships in Terrence Malick's "Tree of Life" on May 27th; and 1960s racism is explored in the big screen adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel "The Help" on August 12th.

"It's important that the older audience not be neglected in the summer," said Dave White, film critic for Movies.com. "They may not rush out opening weekend to see a film, but they want to see movies about adult human beings in adult situations."

THE FREDERICKSBURG SONGWRITER SHOWCASE FEATURES CARLA ULBRICH THIS FRIDAY

Carla Ulbrich will appear at the Fredericksburg Songwriter Showcase this Friday night 
Date published: 4/28/2011

BY JESSE SCOTT

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Carla Ulbrich chooses to make friends, not war, with her fellow songwriters.

As the music business becomes more and more competitive to break into, the self-described "funny-folksy" South Carolina native enjoys bonding with the musicians with whom she shares the stage--and gaining from their distinct knowledge.

It's one of the many important lessons Ulbrich has learned over the years as an inventive and witty singer-songwriter.

Ulbrich will share the stage with fellow guitar-armed songwriters Joe Giacoio, Rupert Wates and Todd Burge as part of this month's Fredericksburg Songwriters' Showcase.

The Showcase will kick off tomorrow at 8 p.m. at Picker's Supply Concert Hall.

"I think the one rule with songwriting is that you have to have something good to say," said Ulbrich, now a resident of New Jersey.

"You have to have a point and you have to be able to get it across in a way that makes sense to your audience."

Ulbrich has certainly been able to find the right words and make that connection. Since releasing her first album in 1999, Ulbrich has toured the U.S. and England, and has appeared on the USA Network and the BBC.

Her tunes are frankly humorous and observational, with titles like "We Don't Need No Walmart," "The Wedgie" and "The Guy Who Changes the Lightbulbs."

"I'm like a mix of Weird Al [Yankovic] and Phoebe from 'Friends,'" said Ulbrich. "I write about a lot of oddball topics and look forward to bringing them all to Fredericksburg."

Ulbrich is making the trek to the 'Burg as a friend of local folk singer, songwriter and coordinator of the Fredericksburg Songwriters' Showcase, Bob Gramman.

Since 1993 the Showcase has provided local, regional and national songwriters the opportunity to connect with an intimate audience on the last Friday of every month.

"I met [Gramman] at a folk music event six or seven years ago and I've been trying to get back to Fredericksburg for the showcase," said Ulbrich. "I think Fredericksburg is really neat. The last time I was in Fredericksburg was on Halloween, and everyone was dressed up so Colonial!"

Ulbrich is one of the lucky few selected for the showcase, which receives well over 100 entries annually. Perhaps Ulbrich's smooth vocals and incredibly memorable--and funny--words were the clincher for getting her on the bill.

In February, Ulbrich proved that she can write more than just songs with the release of her first book, "The Singing Patient: How Can You NOT Laugh at a Time Like This?"

The book is a humorous collection of essays Ulbrich wrote while recovering from kidney failure and a stroke in 2002.

While Ulbrich enjoyed being an author, she claims songwriting and performing are still her favorites.

"I'm more comfortable as a songwriter, and I've been doing it much longer," said Ulbrich. "I can write a song and perform it over and over again and enjoy it.

"Plus, songs are interactive and you can see people smile, laugh and clap. The rewards are immediate."

Jesse Scott is a Fredericksburg writer.